Starting Saturday, people experiencing mental health crises can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.
Those in mental health distress can call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free and confidential support 24/7.
According to the website, the new hotline connects callers to a certified crisis center in their area, one of the 200 crisis centers around the country.
“When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network,” the website says. “These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.”
It is expected that the three-digit number will be easier to remember during times of crisis than the 10-digit 800 number currently available.
Additionally, it aims to speed up mental health responses so that people can receive the immediate assistance they require much more quickly than dialing 911, which typically links callers to police enforcement agencies rather than mental health specialists.
After the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act passed in 2020, 988 became the universal number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines in the country.
A person in immediate need can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for further information until the new hotline is open.
The 10-digit current hotline number will still be usable after the new national number goes into effect.
Discover more from Baller Alert
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
